Death threat posted on pro Initiative 300 political sign in Denver

DENVER -- A Denver woman threw away a sign posted in her front yard without her permission. A new sign appeared again Monday, but this time, with a death threat attached.

The woman, who did not wish to be identified for fear of retaliation, said she noticed the first Initiative 300 sign in her yard in the Baker Neighborhood Sunday.

"It had been blown over. I did not give approval nor would I have that on my property, so I just went and threw it away," she said. "And then today during my lunch break, I saw the same type of sign in the same place on my yard."

This time, though, there was an envelope attached with a note written in black ink on it: "I’m WATCHING!, If you touch this, I will shoot you in the face. You have been WARNED."

"I immediately removed it and called police because I felt like it was something that needed to be documented in case there was some kind of retaliation," she said. "It’s my property, and I’m not going to have anybody tell me what to do with my property."

Denver Police are investigating the threat, which spokesman John White said is the first he has ever heard of.

"If it’s placed on private property then it’s assumed by the police department that that’s intended for the property owner," said John White, a spokesman with the Denver Police Department. "So we would certainly take that very seriously."

White said private property owners must give permission before a political sign can be placed on their property, and the signs are not allowed on public right-of-way.

Initiative 300 would allow limited social marijuana use in designated areas.

In a statement, the Neighborhood-Supported Social Consumption Committee said they are "stunned" to hear of the threat.

We are confident that any sign or note found in this individual's yard was NOT placed there by anyone associated with the I-300 campaign," the statement read, "We produced a very limited number of signs to provide to businesses and individuals who request them. We hope officials identify and punish whoever was responsible for this incident.